Hi all,

This morning I picked up my FL2 ('59 plate GS with 109k) after having the throttle body replaced and an interim oil change.

The woman who worked behind the desk (Land Rover independent specialist) told me that the car has an oil leak in ' a ladder gasket near the sump'. I told her I wasn't aware of any leaks, I check regularly and the car hasn't run down on oil. Then she informed me that it's a 'really big job... About fourteen or fifteen hours of labour, the subframe has to come off,' and then, with a lovely smile and a happy lilt to her voice said, 'so you might want to think about sending it on it's merry way...' as I slid the cringing debit card into the reader to settle the £500 bill.

I looked at her and asked 'send it on it's merry way? For an oil leak?' I'm not a mechanic but I asked her 'how did you find it? The leak? If there's never been any evidence of it, the oil level doesn't drop and if it's in such a difficult place to get to... How was it discovered during a routine oil change?'

She looked a bit cagey and said that it was just what the technician said. I reassured my quivering debit card and then left.

My question is... Does anyone think this is true, based on any experience of being told/finding this problem, or am I being a bit cynical by thinking it's A). C£#tish to tell a customer that they might want to get rid of an otherwise great car and B)... A load of . Maybe to scare people into having this terrible oil leak - which there's no evidence for - dealt with ASAP?

Any opinions, thoughts or other such horror stories will be greatly appreciated.

Good day to you.

If the oil level doesn’t go down I wouldn’t worry.

Total load of rubbish.
It's extremely unlikely that the block extension is leaking.
Even if it was leaking, it's a couple of hours work to re-seal it.
No subframe removal is needed, as everything you need to access is easy to get at once the sump guard is removed.
If you're not loosing oil, there's not much of a leak anyway.
Find another place that can be trusted. 2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Soon to be sold.
Gone. 2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE.
Hyundai Ionic 5 Ultimate on order.

I would unbolt the sump guard and check for any oil on the sump guard if evident clean it off and then check again in a few days time, to see if there is a leak? 2013 FL2 XS.
Defender 90 300 TDi.
Defender 90 300 TDi CSW.
1964 MGB Roadster.
1944 Willys MB "Jeep" with bullet holes. (gone)
17 hand Irish Drought Thoroughbred (mostly lame)
Nagging Old Boiler.

Good thinking Batman! Thank you.

This engine is far more likely to leak from the crankcase ventilation pipes at the top of the engine, rather than the bonded joints on the block or sump.
The factory sealer is called Three Bond and its tough stuff, like basically impossible to leak unless it's tampered with.

My suspicion is they are seeing oil which has migrated from the breather system, and they're touting for a decent labour charge to up the profits, by telling you there's an expensive to fix oil leak.
Definitely a garage worth avoiding IMO.

Especially as they charged you £500 for a TB replacement and an oil change, which in itself is a complete overcharge, is should have been half that price. 2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Soon to be sold.
Gone. 2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE.
Hyundai Ionic 5 Ultimate on order.

That's exactly what I've been thinking; scaremongering into an unnecessary fix. I went there on a whim, based on reviews.

I was going to replace the throttle body myself but with it being the time of year and the postie strikes I just decided to pay the ransom.

Interesting theory you mentioned. I'll take it back to my usual mechanic and see what he says. Thank you very much for replying.

So, is you oil level going down and if so, by how much?

It was serviced/oil and filter changes last year. Took it on a road trip last month, checked before I left... Good as gold. Now, after taking it to these muppets, it's developed an oil leak of such monstrous proportions that it will be better off scrapping. Unless I pay them for the 'fourteen or fifteen hours of labour'. Thank the lord.

So you oil level is not going down at all?

Last time I checked was last month.

... And it was spot on. As always.

Excellent, keep an eye on it and the ground and disregard the lady's comment. If you see consumption at the oil stick or a leak on the ground, I'd get concerned.

Name and shame, or at least let us know in what area they are based.  DAVE.
I.A.M. F1rst Driver.
Gone 2003 Discovery TD5 Auto,
Gone 1986 Defender 90 Station Wagon
Gone 1984 Range Rover 3.5 Vogue Manual.
Gone 1970 Series 11A/3 SWB 3.5 V8 Hybrid
Gone 1964 Series 11A LWB Van
Gone 1966 Series 11A SWB Van
Gone 1964 Series 11A LWB Station Wagon,

Thanks for the advice.

Based in Dorset.